My gut says to get Ys VIII and Culdcept, as the series both already have built-in fanbases. Touhou Kobuto V seems like a good one to snag as well, and I’m kind of interested in learning more about RPG Maker FES.

Thinking on it more though, I worry we’re reaching a bubble with this collector’s edition stuff. Who has room on the shelf for 12-15 more stupidly-sized boxes containing weird Japanese visual novels / dungeon crawlers most of us don’t have the time for? I say: buy what you like, but I wouldn’t expect any of these to become true rarities. The demand just doesn’t seem to be there.

VideoGamesPlus

Reprint house VideoGamesPlus has either done your collection a service or a disservice this week, by reprinting the first four Yakuza games. Of these, Yakuza 2 was the true rarity, previously going for around $100. Now it can be had for $40+shipping, with no one reporting any differences with the reprint.

That being said, I got a copy of 2 and have not yet opened it… but the plastic case felt a bit thin? Maybe my imagination. If you’re a PS2 / PS3 collector, may be worth getting in now. Previous VGP reprints have not lasted as long as one would think (see: Persona 2).

Amazon

Lastly, a totally random selection of Amazon deals I personally have my eye on. (As a note, I get a small kickback if you use the below links. If you don’t like me, just search for the games on Amazon).

I must admit, I panicked when I saw Wild Guns Reloaded sold out on Amazon, worrying it might be the Gravity Rush Remastered. I paid a few extra bucks to snag a copy on eBay, but it’s back at normal price (with keychain!) on Amazon.

That being said… some of these small release PS4 games are going to eventually prove rare. Natsume’s games have small print runs, but also seem to not be in high-demand. We’ll see where this one ends up.

This game isn’t rare but… it’s $11.50 for a brand new copy of one of the best Wii games (and by PlatinumGames, one of my favorite developers). I kind of want one just to stick on a shelf and look at lovingly.

Another Natsume release which I think came out the same day as Wild Guns. This one is worth keeping an eye on.

I’ve heard this game is complete garbage. At $9 though… it’s almost tempting. Maybe it’ll go down to $5!

Whoa! Shiren the Wanderer for $20? Uh… I think I might actually need to get me one of those. A great roguelike series, and a worthy addition to any Vita collection (for those of you super-completionists, there is a collector’s edition for $50).

It’s been like a year and I’m still waiting for this game to hit $10. C’mon!

Switch comes out next week! Let’s see if any of those launch titles end up being hard to find (aside from the obvious Master’s Edition nonsense).

I know this story is not unique, but hopefully the more people speak out about this kind of thing, the better chance we have of GameStop continuing to f*** up in this manner.

Here’s to hoping my local GameStop.com aren’t douchebags and let me return the thing without issues.

]]>http://www.endbutton.com/2017/02/24/gamestop-com-stole-my-money/feed/0Always Bet on Pokemonhttp://www.endbutton.com/2017/02/15/always-bet-on-pokemon/
http://www.endbutton.com/2017/02/15/always-bet-on-pokemon/#respondWed, 15 Feb 2017 20:23:24 +0000http://www.endbutton.com/?p=200There are two things that are true of life:

Jazz music is bad

Core Pokemon games will never depreciate in value

I bring this up because Amazon.com currently has Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby for $19.99 apiece. I can just about guarantee that this is the LOWEST price you will ever pay for a sealed copy of this game, and it is well worth the investment.

(Reminder, if you use the above links, I get a small kickback. If you don’t like me, simply search for the item on Amazon.com)

I personally bought Pokemon HeartGold when it was $20, and it’s now worth $90.

I bought Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 for $20 apiece and kept them sealed, they are currently going for $40 (opened for $30).

I also have copies of X & Y I also got for $20 apiece, and I am looking forward to AS and OR joining them on the shelf and watching their prices slowly rise!

At worst, prices on these games complete will almost always settle at $30. The demand is real, and will remain real until Pokemon is no longer a thing (see: Never. It’s an evergreen franchise now, baby!)

Get in on this!

]]>http://www.endbutton.com/2017/02/15/always-bet-on-pokemon/feed/0The 10 Rarest Wii U Gameshttp://www.endbutton.com/2017/02/11/the-10-rarest-wii-u-games/
http://www.endbutton.com/2017/02/11/the-10-rarest-wii-u-games/#respondSat, 11 Feb 2017 22:05:06 +0000http://www.endbutton.com/?p=178Forgive the clickbait title, but this blog isn’t terribly well known, so I must employ some SEO tactics to try and get it to show up in Google! That being said, I promise this is a legitimate list, and should hopefully contain some good information for those looking to snag Wii U titles while you still can.

The Wii U was an interesting experiment, which is a nice way of saying it was a failure. It’s sad because Nintendo was clearly close to hitting on a good idea: an iPad-esque tablet geared around playing games either on the pad itself or on the TV. The obvious problem is that the unit was not a self-contained device (instead streaming from the base console), and not anywhere close to the specs of the PS4 and Xbox One, to which the ever more interested in visual quality gaming crowd have been flocking towards.

Short story: everyone has an HDTV now (some have a 4k!), and people want devices which put their awesome televisions to use. Breath of the Wild on Wii U will run at 720p. Hard sell.

Anyway, while the Switch looks to be everything the Wii U wishes it was, it will NOT be backwards compatible with the previous console’s titles. This is both good and bad news for collectors: good because it bars the chance of any Wii U re-releases bringing the value of your game collection down, bad because… well, if you haven’t completed your collection yet, you better act fast.

(Note: There is a strong chance some Wii U games will be re-released as Switch titles, which would definitely drive the values of the originals down hard. That being said, I only expect already common games to get that Switch treatment: Mario 3D and Smash Bros. for instance).

SO! Now is the time to move, while Wii U games are still on shelves and not yet feeling the full brunt of collector’s demand. Here are what I believe are the top ten rarest games to be looking for:

#11 – Super Luigi U ($30-$40)

Oops! I wrote out the list and accidentally made it 11 items long instead of ten. Well, whatever!

Anyhow, though obviously many regular Wii U games sell for more, the original MSRP on this game was #19.99. To be selling for 50%-100% above retail just a few years past release is notable. The game was later packed in with the original Super Mario Bros U, but this separate printing with the green case is the one to snag. I think it will definitely hold its value.

#10 – Game & Wario ($40 – $60)

I believe this was a launch title, making it subject to a rather low print run. Prices were soaring above $60 for a hot minute, but have settled down for the moment. I don’t see prices going lower however, so if you can find a decently priced copy, go for it.

#9 – Bayonetta 2 First Printing ($50-$70)

I gotta be honest and say buying this game was a misstep by me, as I snagged it when prices were floating over $70. Demand has dropped a bit, and it’s now a rather respectable price, considering that it includes two games (only the first printing came with a copy of the original Bayonetta).

I don’t expect another re-release of the original Bayonetta, meaning this will forever be the best-looking version of the game. As such, expect the prices to slowly creep up over time, I’d lock in now.

#8. Wii Sports Club ($60-$70)

An updated version of Wii Sports and another one you wouldn’t have thought would be rare. That being said, those early Wii U print runs were apparently rather low (as was the demand for the console itself). You may still be able to get lucky and find one of these at GameStop for a more respectable price, but they are drying up!

#7. Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Avg. $75-$125)

You never expect a Mario or Sonic game to be hard to find, but put ’em together and you get the current subject of intense eBay speculation.

That being said, I’m seeing a TON of listings for this game as compared to other titles, which leads me to believe there might be more copies of this game than people think.

#6. Super Smash Bros. Controller Bundle (Avg. $80-$120)

A nice little package that comes with the game, a branded Gamecube-esque controller, and the Gamecube controller 4-player adapter. There’s a few “Buy it Now”s going for $120 or so, but $80-$100 seems to be about the average.

#5. Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD Limited Edition (Avg. $120-$150)

I’ve personally given up on collector’s editions for the most part: they take up too much space on a shelf and tend to ruin the nice-looking ascetic you get with a bunch of games of the same size arranged in neat little rows (I think I have OCD).

That being said, I do kind of kick myself for canceling my pre-order on this guy, even if only to use it as trade bait. It’s Zelda, so don’t expect

#4. Nintendo Land w) Luigi Controller (Avg $150)

This is a weird one! I didn’t even know this existed until I started writing this article. Right now I see only two of these on eBay, so this might actually be worth the price-tag (if not more)

#3. Hello Kitty Kruisers – (Avg $80-$250)

Here’s the current holy grail, and what an odd one it is. If you a copy at auction, you may be able to get it for under $100, but some ‘Buy it Nows’ are selling for upwards of $200. Speculation seems to be driving the current prices but the jury is out on where the price will settle. We’ve seen a lot of Wii U games have a moment of feverish speculation only for those prices to drop once it dies down, and I really can’t imagine a terrible Hello Kitty racing game (3/10 on IGN) holding that $200 and up price forever.

That being said, this is the hot game at the moment. If you really are a “gotta catch ’em all” kind of collector, keep an eye out for one of these at auction and prepare to bid up to $90-$100 to ensure you win it. If you only want to collect games you might actually… you know, play, maybe let those with the deeper pocketbooks fight over the Kitty.

#2. Mario Kart 8 Limited Edition (Avg. $500+)

A Nintendo World exclusive with a blue shell statue. I see two that sold on eBay at auction for $550, so I’m gonna say that’s about where it’ll stay.

Let’s touch on this more with our #1…

#1. Hyrule Warriors Limited Edition – (Avg. $1000+)

Look man, I gotta be real with you: you don’t need this in your life. It’s a copy of Hyrule Warriors (which is already a lame Dynasty Warriors spinoff) in a nice box with a Koei-produced scarf you can buy for $35 on eBay.

To be fair, I was a bit bitter when I couldn’t get this item a few years back. I paid a NYC line-standing service $50 to snag me one, only for them to throw me a “the line was too long” excuse and refund half my money. That being said, I’m personally over collector’s editions, especially when about 1000 of them are produced and only sold at one store on the opposite side on the continent. Forget it.

If you really need one in your life, good luck. If Mario Kart 8 is selling at $550, anything with the Zelda tag is gonna be selling for about twice that. There’s exactly one copy I see on eBay right now, and it went for $1,100 which confirms my suspicions. I think it might be possible to get one cheaper than that if you hit refresh for the rest of your life but man… you really don’t need this thing.

If you’re pulling in six figures a year, sure, blow 1% of your income on a scarf and a cardboard box. If you’re an average Joe like me, pay off your car loan a few months early or something.

Anyway, I hope this article helps out those of you looking to fill some holes in your Wii U collection! Real quick: one game I would also consider worthy of speculation is Pokken Tournament, another game unlikely to be reprinted due to the rights complications between Nintendo and Bandai Namco. Most Pokemon titles tend to retain their value, and often go up over time, as we saw with the $120 copies of Heartgold and Soulsilver that popped up around the time of Pokemon Go frezny.

Right now the game is hovering around $50 on Amazon, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it start to rise as the Wii U (and its games) start disappearing from shelves. As always, if you use the below link I get a small kickback, so if you hate me, just search for it on Amazon.com yourself!

]]>http://www.endbutton.com/2017/02/11/the-10-rarest-wii-u-games/feed/0Hot Deals for 4/17http://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/17/hot-deals-for-417/
http://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/17/hot-deals-for-417/#respondSun, 17 Apr 2016 18:04:02 +0000http://www.endbutton.com/?p=171Let’s not waste any time and go straight to the deals!

Toys R Us:

Over at the Big R, all games are “buy one, get one 40% off.” This isn’t a great deal for full-priced stuff, but there’s a few clearance games which make this potentially worthwhile. I personally picked up Chibi-Robo (3DS) and Shovel Knight (Wii U)for about $30 shipped. Rodea: The Sky Soldier and Rare Replay are both $9.99, and good deal fodder as well.

Amazon:

(Regular disclaimer: I get a small kickback if you use my links to buy a game, so if you don’t like me, just plug the game’s name into the Amazon search bar).

Arslan: The Warriors of Legend (PS4) | $24.44 at time of posting.

This feels like a pretty steep discount for a game that’s been out just about six months or so. I think Koei may have overproduced this guy, since its based on a franchise even I’ve never heard of. If you’re itching for some Dynasty Warriors, go nuts, but I think this will go lower.Verdict: Hold

The World Ends With You (NDS) | $18.75 at time of posting.

Decent price, maybe a bit lower than usual. If you don’t already have a copy, go nuts!

Verdict: Your Call

Sakura Wars: So Long My Love (Wii) | $32.30

I don’t like this price, but I do want this game! One of the few Wii uncommons I’m missing. I’m putting this link here so I can check back in, hoping it drops to $25 or so.

Verdict: Hold

Tales of Zestiria: Collector’s Edition (PS4) | $69.97 at time of posting.

I love the Tales series, and this collector’s edition comes with some top notch stuff. The little chibi figures are actually really cool looking. I’m a bit tired of all of these Tales releases dropping in price after I pay full for them, but what can you do? I think this is a great price for a great game.

Verdict: Buy

Okami (Wii) | $16.35 at time of posting.

Used copies are going for between $10-$20 on eBay, so this seems like a fine deal. Maybe grab an extra to keep sealed and sell to some over-zealous “sealed game” collector for $100 a few years from now?

Verdict: Buy

Kromaia (PS4) | $18.90 at time of posting.

Oh hey! A weird arcade shooter which probably has a small print run to match its niche market? I’m in! There’s a lot of these budget PS4 releases hitting the market now, look for a post about them soon (protip: get ’em now!)

Verdict: Buy

]]>http://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/17/hot-deals-for-417/feed/0I Didn’t Choose the Thrift Life, the Thrift Life Chose Mehttp://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/11/i-didnt-choose-the-thrift-life-the-thrift-life-chose-me/
http://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/11/i-didnt-choose-the-thrift-life-the-thrift-life-chose-me/#respondMon, 11 Apr 2016 01:11:35 +0000http://www.endbutton.com/?p=138My favorite way to spend a weekend morning has always been the same: driving around to random thrift stores and flea markets in search of weird stuff. I’ll try not to get too wistful about it, but I’ve always found there to be something beautiful in these places. Old yellowing shelving units piled high with the belongings of strangers, a collection of discarded treasures and past lives for sale. No glossy poster stock advertisements hawking the latest diet drink or fashion accessory.

Just stuff.

Anyhow, my least favorite part of the game collection community is the constant posting of how awesome one’s latest deal was. The attention seeking is a bit too obvious. I’m sharing these pictures without much commentary, not because I hope to make you (my fellow collector) jealous, but to encourage you to go out and enjoy a good thrift store run!

OOOF!

]]>http://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/11/i-didnt-choose-the-thrift-life-the-thrift-life-chose-me/feed/0Tools of the Trade | Invaluable Items for Game Collectorshttp://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/05/tools-of-the-trade-invaluable-items-for-game-collectors/
http://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/05/tools-of-the-trade-invaluable-items-for-game-collectors/#respondTue, 05 Apr 2016 19:14:13 +0000http://www.endbutton.com/?p=122One thing I wish I’d had when I first started collecting, is a guide to all the various little tools that can help keep a collection in good condition… as well as a warning of which tools to be avoided! For instance, did you know that the industrial cleaner Goof Off will completely melt through most plastics? Wish I’d known that before I ruined a few carts trying to use that corrosive stuff as polish!

Anyhow, here’s a quick list of my favorite game collecting tools. I may add to this list in the future, so check back!

Amazon:(Regular disclaimer: I get a small kickback if you use my links to buy a game, so if you don’t like me, feel free to just plug the game’s name into the Amazon search bar).

Goo Gone Citrus Solvent

If you were paying attention to my intro, you’d remember that Goof Off is the thing with the similar name that you should never buy on accident! Goo Gone however is straight magic. If you have any sticker residue gumming up your carts and cases, this stuff takes care of it after a few minutes of gentle rubbing. If even works on that super annoying metallic crap left behind by those VOID stickers some places like to use. I always keep a bottle of this stuff on hand.

Before:

After:

My one pro-tip, don’t use too much at one time. It’s a really thin liquid and can seep under a cart label and stain it if you aren’t careful. Just put a small amount on a paper tower or micro-fiber cloth and work in small circles. You’ll eventually get all that junk off.Goo Gone is also decent for polishing off a cart and making it nice and shiny, but there’s probably something better for that. I should look into polishing mixtures…

3.8mm and 4.5mm Security Screwdrivers

This is one pair of items I cannot recommend more if you’re going to be buying expensive carts on eBay. There are more than a few sellers who try to pass off reproduction carts as the real thing. With these you can get under the hood and make sure you didn’t pay for nothing more than a big mess of wires.These are also useful if you ever plan on replacing a save battery, or if something comes lose inside the cart and you can hear it rattling about. You can opt to just get the appropriate bits if you have a screwdriver you prefer, but I find it easier to have the tools easily visible rather than trying to search out the bit I need.Crap, just checked my toolbox and my pair are missing? Uh… guess I better grab some new ones!

Plastic Game Box Protectors

I sure wish they had these when I started collecting. My various SNES boxes would sure be a lot less crushed!Let’s be real, your complete copy of Chrono Trigger is cool, but cardboard deteriorates, especially when subject to various temperature / air moisture changes.Also, those flimsy boxes sure hate having anything stacked atop them. Yes, someday all things will return to dust, but might as well try and stall the inevitable with a stack of these! I bought a hundred pack for the bulk savings. Definitely pricey, but I don’t regret it!

Though more resilient than cardboard boxes, CD cases have their own problems. Those things love to get scratched to hell, especially when sitting next to each other on a shelf. I say put ’em in a bag, keep ’em from getting all gross.You should also get baggies for your double-cd games (PS1 and Dreamcast stuff), and your DVD case sized games (PS2, Xbox, Wii, etc). The latter are especially useful now, seeing as how companies are using those awful cases with the missing plastic sections (to save the environment or whatever). A bag helps prevent those inserts from getting randomly punctured.

Spare CD Jewel Cases

If you’ve been collecting as long as I have, you’re going to have some ugly cracked PlayStation jewel cases. Swap em out for these fresh ones and admire the beauty!

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Ok, I’ve gotta be honest and say this is the one product on this list I can’t personally vouch for. As such, use at your own risk!That being said, remember how kids used to actually write their names in marker on their game carts (shudder)? Numerous sources have told me this is the best solution. Like the Goof Off, this is some corrosive stuff, but what’s different is that the “eraser” design actually gives you some control. Go lightly and only on the affected area, and supposedly you’ll be able to get Mark F’s eight-grade scrawl off your copy of Secret of Mana.

Next time I find a cart with some marker on it, I’ll give this bad boy a try.

(I’m being told that this eraser will also remove any textured surface, so don’t use it on say an SNES cart unless you’re okay with losing that texture).

I guess that’s it for now! Like I said, if I think of any other awesome tools I will update this page pronto! And please, if you have any suggestions for other awesome tools, let me know in the comments. If they’re good, I’ll add them to this (hopefully) growing list!

]]>http://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/05/tools-of-the-trade-invaluable-items-for-game-collectors/feed/0$40 Nintendo 2DS and Other Deals (4/1)http://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/02/40-nintendo-2ds-and-other-deals-41/
http://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/02/40-nintendo-2ds-and-other-deals-41/#respondSat, 02 Apr 2016 01:33:42 +0000http://www.endbutton.com/?p=118Not an April Fool’s post, I swear! Randomly stopped by a Toys R Us while I was out and found a 2DS for less than half of retail? Any time you can get a console for the same price as a game, its probably a good deal!

I assume they are clearing shelf space for… something? Still a massive discount. This deal was only for the launch console, not the ones with a pack-in game, so there likely aren’t many left still floating around. Still, probably worth swinging by your local store. Thing still retails for at least $100, and supposedly you can run homebrew on these old firmware models.

Amazon:(Regular disclaimer: I get a small kickback if you use my links to buy a game, so if you don’t like me, feel free to just plug the game’s name into the Amazon search bar).

Tales of Zestiria Collector’s Edition (PS4) | $69.99 at time of posting.

I love the Tales series, so much so that I’m the idiot paying full price for these collector’s editions that ALWAYS savagely drop in price a few months later (Tales of Symphonia Chronicles being the one exception).

I love all the stupid trinkets in this box, especially the steelbook and little figures. I think it’s a great game and definitely worth the money.

Verdict: Buy

]]>http://www.endbutton.com/2016/04/02/40-nintendo-2ds-and-other-deals-41/feed/02016: First quarter collecting updatehttp://www.endbutton.com/2016/03/18/2016-first-quarter-collecting-update/
http://www.endbutton.com/2016/03/18/2016-first-quarter-collecting-update/#commentsFri, 18 Mar 2016 20:23:52 +0000http://www.endbutton.com/?p=107Part of the reason this blog got so off track is that I spent two weeks in Massachusetts, where all my Earthly priorities kind of went out the window. I spent a lot of that time cataloging my East Coast game collection, since my records of what exactly I had were a bit spotty. I also felt the need to take one big picture of it all, since I somehow forgot to do that when I put it all in boxes five years ago. Tried to get the same angle as the only picture I have of when I first started getting serious about collecting.

The mythical East Coast half of my collection. Someday both halves will link up and it will be glorious.

Anyway, one of the first things I did upon arriving in Massachusetts was go through the Magic cards sitting in my dad’s basement and pull out anything worth money. I was actually quite surprised at what I found, more than a few $5-$15 cards that were only worth a quarter back when I actually played. I took everything I could find down to my buddy Seth’s store: X9 Games in Hadley, MA.

Seth’s store is my personal hookup for games. Why? Because Seth doesn’t have a ton of floor space, so he has piles and piles of un-priced games chilling in the back room. Every box holds random treasures which he probably should be selling on eBay to pay his rent, but hey, more for me! I ended up getting about $2000 in cash/credit for all the cards, and though I probably should’ve socked some of that away to pay some bills… how could I resist with these goodies waiting to come home with me?

This is just the “good” stuff he sold me. Plenty of random commons/uncommons were snagged as well.

Unfortunately (though fortunately for my wallet) the rest of Massachusetts was kind of a bust gamewise. I did pick up a large stack of PS2 / Xbox stuff at a flea market for $5 a title, stuff like Blue Dragon, Bullet Witch and SMT: Nocturne which I expect to rise in price as time goes on. Sadly, I didn’t have time to visit Video Game Castle in Chicopee, MA, which has been a mecca for me over the years. I remember purchasing Suikoden II from them for $25 back in the day… what a beautiful memory.

$5 randoms. I now stupidly have triplicates of Way of the Samurai, Neo Contra, and Fatal Fury vol. 1. Anybody wanna trade?

Other than that though, I haven’t made any major purchases in 2016. Been scouting for an original copy of Bayonetta 2 with no luck thus far. Picked up a few randoms on eBay. Found a real cool flea market an hour out of town which I will have to document further on my next visit.

And I was lucky enough to get a Fire Emblem Limited Edition, which is now going for outrageous money on the eBay. Feel kind of bad for any collectors who missed out on that one, who wants to buy those games separately?

One last thought, I seriously considered picking a console collection to “complete” this year. For instance, Game Boy Advance is probably my favorite thing to collect for, and I’ve held off on buying a complete Ninja Five-O and stuff like that because of the price tags (I’ve got two loose copies to trade though!). Thing is, I think I enjoy collecting at random, and not making big purchases unless I can get some sort of small deal. For instance, I’m ready to lock in on a Mega Man X3 cart if I can find one for under $200, but I don’t want to drop $250 on one just for the sake of “completing” something.

That being said, taking a look at my Dreamcast want list… I could maybe complete it by year’s end if I get aggressive on scouting eBay listings. GigaWing and GigaWing 2 are the big ones… also E.G.G. which I know I had a goddamn copy of and I must’ve sold it. Hmm… I guess we’ll see!

– Vito Gesualdi

]]>http://www.endbutton.com/2016/03/18/2016-first-quarter-collecting-update/feed/2Amazon / GameStop Deal Speculation for 3/18/2016http://www.endbutton.com/2016/03/18/amazon-gamestop-deal-speculation-for-3182016/
http://www.endbutton.com/2016/03/18/amazon-gamestop-deal-speculation-for-3182016/#respondFri, 18 Mar 2016 08:46:39 +0000http://www.endbutton.com/?p=102Been awhile since I did one of these posts (or any kind of post for that matter). Trying to get back on the wagon! I will say, that if you’ve been checking in on these deals posts, I’ve had a decent record of calling when the time is right to bite on a price. Persona 4 Ultimax I said to bite at $11.67, and it’s back up to $45. I snagged Tears to Tiara at $14.88, and it’s now back up to $38.99. Not gonna say I nailed all of my predictions, but I’m pleased with the deals I’ve gotten!

Amazon:(Regular disclaimer: I get a small kickback if you use my links to buy a game, so if you don’t like me, feel free to just plug the game’s name into the Amazon search bar).

Like I said in my recent post, I’m trying to hold off on oversized limited edition boxes. This one looks cool, but it’s also going for $20-$30 on eBay. Possible price plummet in the future, but for now it’s a definite no go.

Verdict: Hold

Sorcery Saga Limited Edition (PS Vita) | $20.31 at time of posting.

I’ve seen people post about this game being on sale for months, and it’s still in stock! I want to collect all the Vita stuff, but this game looks real darn stupid. I’ll bite at $15. Your call at $20.

So hey, Amazon Prime is definitely worth the money now that it gives you 20% off pre-orders and recent releases. You can now skip on that Best Buy “gamers unlocked” card if you wish (though, since both retailers seem to sell out at different times, you may wish to have both options).

Anyway, $23.99 for an HD re-release of a great game, plus an exclusive steelbook? This is a no-brainer deal.

Verdict: Pre-Order

Xblaze Lost: Memories (PS3) | $17.99 at time of posting.

Anime visual novels are never going to be anything more than a niche market in America. I see this title at every Gamestop I visit, hold off and get it for $10.

Verdict: Hold

Fortune Street (Wii) | $20.99 at time of posting.

Nintendo + Dragon Quest + Boardgame? Man… I actually want to get some dudes together and have a good time with this one. It’s currently $12 or so on eBay, so hold off at this price, but hopefully Wii prices will continue to trend down.

Verdict: Hold

Kirby & The Rainbow Curse (Wii U) | $29.97 at time of posting.

God, I’m real worried about the Wii U market. I want to snap all these games up cheap, but the supply is so low that might never be a possibility.

My current plan is to wait for some sort of B1G1 scheme, then buy all the Wii U stuff I can in one go. For now… I’m holding off.

Verdict: Hold

Rune Factory: Frontier (Wii) | $19.99 at time of posting.

One of those few Wii games I’m still meaning to pick up. Going for $10-$15 on eBay, gonna keep an eye on this one and see if it drops.

Okay so… this one is my SUPER SECRET DEAL of the week. Let’s do the math:

The first ever Pokemon fighting game

Releasing on a system few people actually own (hence, very few copies being produced).

With a limited edition controller by Hori, who has made numerous controllers in the past which sell for way above original retail (see: the GB Player Controller for GameCube)

A controller of which only a handful will likely be produced, which has already sold out at Amazon and Gamestop.

Look, if this thing comes back in stock, get two. They sold out in about a day! I have one on hold at the local Fry’s and another on Amazon backorder. Call some GameStops in your area, see if they have any. This thing may very well be worth its weight in gold a year from now.

(On further research it turns out you can only use one of these controllers with a Wii U console. Still, get one!)

Verdict: BUY BUY BUY

GameStop:

Sad at the number of “holds” in this posting? Well, let me wrap this up with two quick GameStop deals you might want to bite on.

Alright so, this one was sold out for months, now GameStop suddenly has them in-stock again going on almost a week now (and after a CheapAssGamer post)? Seems fishy, Square-Enix has been known to try and milk money by overproducing collector’s editions before. That being said, you can always return after the fact and just lose on the shipping.

I’m giving this one a Buy, as the potential upside is there. The original game’s collector’s edition sells for up to $150. I’ve heard rumblings of some translation issues which might make this one a dud, but for now I think the risk is worth it.

Normally I would never advise buying one of Xseed’s overproduced LE’s at this price tag… however there are some weird factors in play. Senran Kagura has become a cult franchise which should endure for at least the rest of this console generation. There’s also the Vita factor in play, a console I think will be very hard to collect for in a few years as few of these games are hitting retail shelves.

The real reason to snap this one up though? Idiots on eBay are paying $75 for it! Always shop around kiddos! Just because a game is sold out on Amazon doesn’t mean you can’t get it elsewhere! Even used copies are going for $50!

Anyway, I’m grabbing a copy now. GameStop claims to have used copies for $31.50 but I don’t trust them to ship that sort of thing correctly. If I didn’t hate eBay I would maybe try and turn a profit on these things…